5
February 2016 English Bridge
WELCOME to the first magazine of 2016. We've
made our resolutions and hopefully already stuck to
them for a month. Here at the EBU we are hoping
more people will learn to play bridge, more people
will turn out at the clubs and also enter various
tournaments.
New techniques for learning bridge
It's important to have a steady stream of people
learning bridge and there are new initiatives to help.
I think the days of getting lessons for a couple of
years are coming to a close - many who would like to
learn wish to do it more quickly and play sooner.
EBED (English Bridge Education and Development)
is currently working on an accelerated learning
package to address this.
Keep the bridge club friendly
Once people have learnt the game and braved it to
the club, they will only stay if they have a good time.
Beware people giving them a hard time because of
minor infractions, bellowing for the director and
lecturing them on how they could have done better.
It is likely to mean they won't return.
I hope no-one in your club would do this - but
judging from reports there are a few who, sadly, do. I
think it is the job of the club committee to be firm
with those who ruin the game for others. I was
recently congratulating someone on getting
beginners to play in the full duplicates at his club
and asked him how he did it. He told me there was
an expectation that they would, and the club
provides 'buddies' to help with the transition - but
the most important thing had been to ask six players
to leave. No-one likes turning away business but in
his case there was a minority who consistently
ruined the game for others. Hopefully your club
won't need to do this but if players behave badly they
should have only so many warnings before action is
taken. It will ensure a more pleasant game for the
rest of us. Using bridge to raise money
One thing bridge players are good at is
supporting charity. We do it through simultaneous
pairs with clubs supporting Children in Need, EBED
and other good causes.
Later this month there will be an event called
'Night of the Stars' where professional players offer
their services and are 'sold' at auction for a game
which raises around £40,000 for charities each year.
Many clubs organise a charitable night - not quite
on that scale - it helps the chosen charity and
attracts positive publicity.
One activity taking place in the first part of 2016
is for Stoke Mandeville Spinal Research (SMSR) - a
small independent charity which undertakes
research to tackle the day-to-day challenges and
medical complications that come with spinal cord
injuries.
In 2016, SMSR are working with the bridge
community on a number of initiatives. One is 'The
Big Bridge Quiz' which will cost £10 to purchase,
and offer a £1,000 prize. The quiz is going on sale in
mid-February and the winner will be announced on
6 May at 'Some Enchanted Evening' - a bridge event
in aid of SMSR. If you are interested or wish to learbriony.brock@smsr.org.ukridge evening, get in touch with
Briony Brock at briony.brock@smsr.org.uk.
A reminder that our Summer Congress is moving
to Eastbourne for 2016. You can find details on the
website - www.ebu.co.uk/competitions. It will
bring cheaper entries, cheaper hotels and cheaper
parking. With all that to entice you, we hope to see
you there. r
Education and charity in 2016by Jeremy Dhondy
From the Chairman
From the Chairman
click
link
NEW EBU BOARD OF DIRECTORS
As announced at the AGM, four candidates were nomi nated and agreed to stand. The new Board is:
Jerry Cope, Heather Dhondy, Jeremy Dhondy, Darren Evetts, Anthony Golding, Rob Lawy,
Ron Millet and Ian Payn
Officers Jeremy Dhondy - Chairman, Ian Payn - Vice-Chairman, Jerry Cope - Treasurer